Summer Teaching in Mathematics at MIT

During the summer, the Mathematics Department offers two subjects, usually taught by graduate students in Mathematics with teaching experience in the Department.

• 18.085 Computational Science and Engineering I

  MWF (classes meet 1.5 hours in the morning)

  First half: matrices, discrete optimization
  Second half: continuous equilibrium, Fourier series, complex variables

  Over the summer, 18.085 lasts for 10 weeks, from early-mid June to mid-August. The class is subdivided into two five-week halves, often employing a separate teacher for each. Classes follow the syllabi used during the regular semesters, but individual teachers are responsible for their problem assignments, exams, and giving final grades. Class size is typically 10-15 students.

• 18.089 Review of Mathematics

  (six weeks, two hours/day, early June to mid-July)
  One-variable calculus (18.01; one week)
  Multivariable calculus (18.02; five weeks)

18.085 usually employs two teachers, and 18.089 usually employs one. Each position extends over a period of five to six weeks. Application forms are available from the Math Academic Services Office at the start of the spring semester. Selection takes place in March, and is normally finished before spring break.

Project Interphase

Project Interphase is a separate program in first-year mathematics, physics, chemistry, and writing, running for 7-8 weeks in July and August for a group of about 80 entering first-year, primarily under-represented minority students. The math classes (with accompanying tutorials) are in beginning and AP one-variable calculus, and beginning multivariable calculus. Several mathematics graduate students are often used as teachers or tutors.

The program, including the hiring, is run by the MIT Office of Minority Education; the mathematics portion has been generally based on recommendations by the Department. As far as the teaching goes, the preferences are the same as those for the regular summer teaching program; previous experience teaching or working with minority students at MIT or elsewhere is taken into account but not a requirement.